50 Years 50 Faces

Klaus Helmrich

Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG until 31 March 2021

Studies in Electrical Engineering between 1982 and 1986, study focus on Information Technology

For me, FHWS is ...
an excellent place for a well-founded training in engineering.

What do you appreciate about FHWS?

In my opinion, FHWS is characterised by its technical competence, the very good equipment, the short distances between locations and the close communication between teachers and students. The practice-oriented work in cooperation with the industrial sector is an essential building block of research & development projects.

What was the best decision in your professional career and why? What has changed since then?

After completion of my studies, I began my professional career as a development engineer at Siemens. There, I gained the opportunity to deepen and broaden my technical knowledge. Time and time again, I could harness this knowledge and build on it during my 35 years at Siemens. The engineering knowledge was very helpful when I took management responsibility and throughout my professional life as a whole. It is highly advantageous to comprehend the products and systems for which you are responsible as a manager.

What do you think has shaped FHWS the most over the last 50 years?

The introduction of new technologies and the internationalisation in recent years has lead to significant change. The digital transformation, software, IT security, industrial communications, robotics, and automation determine and shape industrial applications on an international level. This is also reflected in the teaching, research and development at FHWS.

What is your vision of the future for FHWS? What might FHWS look like in 50 years’ time?

I presume that in the next years, knowledge will be transferred both digitally and in the classroom, in parallel. It will be of great importance for the education of students to be able to maintain personal dialogue with each other and, in particular, with the professors.

What is your insider tip for the cities of Würzburg or Schweinfurt and why?

The Würzburg/Schweinfurt region offers beautiful landscapes and many cultural activities and events. Simultaneously, it is home to highly-regarded international companies offering attractive jobs. A region with a high quality of living.